Much like the rare occurrence of a solar eclipse that captivated the North Texas community on April 8, UT Southwestern’s annual State of Nursing Address a few weeks later mirrored that awe-inspiring moment, reflecting the transformative journey of nursing over the past year.

“We work in a place where we are afforded a moment to just stop and experience something in our world – together, as a team,” said Associate Vice President and Health System Chief Nurse Executive Susan Hernandez, D.N.P., M.B.A., RN.

Dr. Hernandez delivered her address May 9 at William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital amid the celebration of National Nurses Week. The event concluded with the presentation of the Nursing Excellence Awards.

Dr. Hernandez discussed the current state of nursing in phases, analogous to the progression of an eclipse. She began by addressing the shadows, symbolizing challenges, then explained how transformative care ushered us into a new brightness for the future. She coined this transformation as a “renewed era of nursing” marked by strength, adaptability, and innovation.

She acknowledged that even during difficult times in the wake of COVID-19, nurses remained dedicated and engaged.

“I am incredibly proud of how so many of you speak up in an effort to make improvements and sustain what is already good at UT Southwestern,” she said.

She noted that this year’s high engagement contributed to UTSW’s impressive nurse retention rate of nearly 86%, surpassing 4,000 total nurses and 1,000 advanced practice providers (APPs) – an unparalleled achievement for the Health System. She pointed to UT Southwestern’s culture, which encourages all team members to voice their ideas, as the driving force in retaining and expanding its community of patient-focused individuals.

She then brought attention to how UTSW’s impact ensures the delivery of top-notch patient care. She highlighted that Clements University Hospital ranked in the top 98th percentile nationally for both “patient experience” and “likelihood to recommend,” based on surveys by industry benchmarking agency Press Ganey.

“When you operate at the level we do, people start to take notice,” she said.

Dr. Hernandez underscored that this current phase of growth has forged a clear path for what is ahead. This groundwork has led to notable distinctions, including the inaugural “Best Workplace for Men in Nursing” award from the American Association for Men in Nursing (AAMN), alongside continual acknowledgment on Dallas-area recognition lists. She credited the exceptional success of nurses for UTSW’s achievement of being named the No. 1 hospital in Texas (tied) in U.S. News & World Report’s 2023-24 rankings.

Looking ahead, she said the future holds immense opportunities, reflected in our expanding infrastructure and ventures, but we must also stay focused on our mission.

“With the upcoming pediatric campus and Texas Behavioral Health Center [at UT Southwestern], we anticipate even more avenues for nursing opportunities to flourish,” she noted. “As we continue this journey of growth as a health system, we will not lose sight of who we are and what matters most – driving positive change and delivering high-quality patient care. Even when the sun takes a break, nurses keep shining bright.”